Following a track test late this afternoon, the Worx Crescent Suzuki team have confirmed that Sylvain Guintoli will be returning to race at the next round of the British Superbikes championship at Cadwell Park on August 29-31.
Guintoli, who suffered a broken tibia and fibula in an incident at round three of the BSB championship at Donington Park, today put in 45 laps of testing at the Lincolnshire track. After three months of recuperation and rehabilitation Guintoli expressed his delight in being back in the saddle, and his relief in being able to demonstrate his leg is now back to strength.
Sylvain Guintoli: "It's great to be back, I've missed this a lot. I've been a long t
ime not on a bike and while I could deal with it at the start, to be honest, it got worse as the time dragged by."I did a brief ride last week on a superstock bike at a Mallory Park track day just to see if I could physically ride. That went okay so we came here today with the BSB bike and went for the full test. This really is some track and so I gave my leg a full workout what with the Mountain and all, and it feels alright. Mentally, too, I found I had no hang ups.
"Now I'm looking forward to the racing in two week's time. And I'm not coming back for fifth place or anything like that – I'm not making up the numbers – I'll be as I always am, 100% into it."
Jack Valentine, team manager: "Sylvain's passed today's test with flying colours. We set the bike up just as he last had it and he got on and rode it like he's never been away. He did 45 laps and at the end he wasn't even sweating.
"His lap times were excellent as well. He's been away for three months, the track looked decidedly green and he's only been here once before for a few laps on a road bike, so his pace today was impressive, not exactly lap record, but fast enough to say this is the Sylvain we know and love. We're really looking forward to the Cadwell races now!"
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